Note: Where any question of eligibility exists, the student or prospective student should see the institutional financial aid officer. Additional information regarding all New York State assistance programs can be found at http://www.hesc.com
Tuition Assistance Program (TAP)
Application Procedure: Students must file an application with the New York State Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC) in Albany, New York for each academic year that they wish to receive an award.
Applications can be completed online immediately after completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online. These applications should be completed no later than May 1 of the academic year for which the student applies.
In order to qualify for TAP a student must be: 1) a legal resident of New York State; 2) a United States citizen, or eligible non-citizen; 3) be enrolled full-time (at least 12 credits per semester) at an approved post-secondary institution in New York State; 4) have graduated from high school, or have a GED, or have passed a federally-approved exam demonstrating that the student can benefit from the education offered; 5) be matriculated in an approved degree program; 6) be in good academic standing; 7) not be in default on any student loan guaranteed by NYSHESC and not be in default on any repayment of State awards; 8) if financially dependent on parents (or if married or have tax dependents) have a family New York State taxable income below $80,000 for the prior tax year. If financially independent of parents and single with no tax dependents, have a New York State net taxable income below $10,000 for the prior tax year. (The requirements for being considered independent of parents for TAP purposes are different than that of the federal programs and are outlined in the information pamphlet that is sent with the pre-printed application.) Income and award eligibility criteria is determined annually by the State legislature. All income data reported is subject to verification by the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance.
Students who are financially dependent on parents (or who are married or have tax dependents) may receive awards up to $5,000 per year. This maximum award may be received by students whose family net income is less than $7,000 in the prior tax year. Awards are reduced as income rises. Students who are considered financially independent and are single with no tax dependents whose net taxable income is less than $3,000 per year can receive a maximum award of $3,025 per year. The minimum award is $275 per year. Students who first received a TAP award prior to the 1994-95 academic year are subject to different minimum/maximum award amounts and income ceilings.
New York State Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) Academic Standards:
The following Pursuit of Program and Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements as defined by the NYS Commissioner of Education apply only to those students receiving a New York State award or scholarship for the first time in the 1981-82 academic year and thereafter.The requirements are also published each semester in the Schedule of Classes.
Standard of Satisfactory Academic Progress (TAP)
Calendar: Semester
Program: Baccalaureate Degree
i. before being certified for this payment (I)
ii. a student must have accrued at least this many credits (II)
iii. with at least this grade point average (III)
I |
II |
III |
1st |
0 |
0 |
2nd |
3 |
1.00 |
3rd |
9 |
1.20 |
4th |
21 |
1.30 |
5th |
33 |
2.00 |
6th |
45 |
2.00 |
7th |
60 |
2.00 |
8th |
75 |
2.00 |
* If you have any questions concerning your eligibility for a TAP award, contact the TAP Certifying Officer at (516) 299-4015.
Pursuit of Program requirements discuss the number of credits that must be completed every semester with a letter grade of A, B+, B, C+, C, D, F or P. While receiving a first or second TAP award an undergraduate student must complete at least six credits that semester with a letter grade of A, B+, B, C+, C, D, F or P. While receiving a third or fourth TAP award a student must complete at least 9 credits with the above grades. In subsequent semesters (starting with the fifth semester a student receives an award), a student must complete at least 12 credits a semester with the above letter grades. Students who do not complete these minimum requirements during a semester generally become ineligible to receive an award the following semester.
Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements (for the purposes of New York State aid only) concerns the cumulative number of credits that must be earned and the cumulative GPA achieved by a student through the end of the semester prior to the semester that the student wishes to receive assistance. These requirements are outlined in the previous chart.
In certain situations where unforeseen personal problems (such as illness or a death in the family) have prevented a student from meeting the above academic requirements, a student may be granted a TAP waiver. Applications for a waiver and further information can be received from the Office of Financial Aid. Please be advised that waivers are reviewed on an individual basis and are not automatically approved. A waiver can be received only one time during a student’s undergraduate study.
The following Attendance Requirement is applicable to students who first received a New York State Award or Scholarship previous to the 1981-82 academic year. A student who withdraws from all his/her courses in a semester that he or she receives TAP will be ineligible to receive an award or scholarship the following semester unless a waiver is requested and granted.
Additional Eligibility Requirements
Students must declare a major by the beginning of their junior year in order to remain TAP eligible.
New York State regulations require that a student register for 12 credits of new coursework each semester (or 6 credits for a half-time summer term). Students should be careful when registering for a class in which they have received a passing grade in a prior semester. When a student and academic counselor deem that it is in the student’s best interest to repeat a class that has already met the student’s degree requirements, that student will need to enroll for more than the minimum full-time course load that semester to be eligible.
Students who wish to receive a half-time summer award must be enrolled in a minimum of 12 credits either the previous Spring or following Fall semester. Undergraduate students are eligible to receive 8 semesters of TAP while pursuing a bachelor’s degree. Please be advised that students who lose credits in transfer or who otherwise need five years to complete a bachelor’s degree are not considered to be in an approved five-year program and are not eligible to receive a fifth year (additional two semesters) of TAP.
Memorial Scholarships for Families of Deceased Police Officers, Peace Officers and Firefighters
Recipients of the Memorial Scholarship for Families of Deceased Police Officers, Peace Officers and Firefighters must meet all the general requirements of the TAP program, with the exception of the income requirements, and in addition must have a parent who died as a result of injury sustained in the line of duty. This award may be received in addition to a TAP award if financially eligible. Applicants must file the pre-printed Express TAP Application or the separate Scholarships and Grants Payments application each year. Applicants must also file a special Memorial supplement to document their eligibility the first year they apply for an award. This supplement may be obtained by contacting the Special Scholarship Unit, NYSHESC, 99 Washington Avenue, Albany, New York 12255.
Award amounts are updated annually and are based on the cost of attendance at a SUNY institution. Holders of the Memorial Scholarship generally receive additional grants from Long Island University to help cover the higher cost of attendance at Long Island University, which is a private institution.
Awards for Children of Veterans (CV)
Recipients of Awards for Children of Veterans must be either the child of a veteran who died, or who were prisoners of war or who are currently listed as missing in action, or who suffered a disability of at least 40 percent resulting from U.S. military service during one of the following periods: April 6, 1917-November 11, 1918; December 7, 1941-December 31, 1946; June 27, 1950-January 31, 1955; December 22, 1961-May 7, 1975; August 2, 1990 through the end of hostilities in the Persian Gulf conflict
or
Students whose parent(s) have been a recipient of the Armed Forces, Navy or Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal for participation in operations in Lebanon during the following periods: June 1, 1983-December 1, 1987; October 23, 1983-November 21, 1983; December 20, 1989-January 31, 1990.
or
Students who were born with spina bifida whose parent(s) are Vietnam Veterans who served in the U.S. Armed Forces in Indochina between December 22, 1961-May 7, 1975. Recipients must meet all of the general requirements for TAP with the exception of the income requirement, and the award may be received in addition to a TAP award if financially eligible. In addition, the parent on which the award is based must have been a legal resident of New York State at the time the parent entered military service, or if the parent died as a result of military service, at the time of death. Applicants must file the pre-printed Express TAP Application or the separate Scholarships and Grants Payment Application each year. In addition, applicants must file a Child of Veteran supplement the first year they apply for an award.
Recipients of the Regents Award for Children of Deceased or Disabled Veterans may receive awards of up to $450 per year.
Vietnam and Persian Gulf Veteran Tuition Awards
Recipients of the Vietnam or Persian Gulf Veteran Tuition Awards must meet all the general requirements of the TAP program, with the exception of the income requirements. In addition, a Vietnam veteran must have served in the U.S. Armed Forces in Indochina between December 22, 1961 and May 7, 1975. A Persian Gulf veteran must have served from August 2, 1990 to November 30, 1995 and be in receipt of the Southwest Asia Medal. Recipients must also have been New York State residents at the time of entry in service and must have resumed residency by the beginning of the semester they wish to receive an award. Applicants must file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid and the pre-printed Express TAP Application or the separate Scholarships and Grants Payments application each year. Applicants must also file a Veteran Award supplement to document their eligibility by September 1 of the first year they apply for an award. This supplement may be obtained by contacting the Special Scholarship Unit, NYSHESC, 99 Washington Avenue, Albany, NY 12255.
This award may be received for part-time study between 3 and 11 credits in the amount of $500 per semester. Full-time awards for students registering for at least 12 credits per semester are $1,000 per semester. Full-time students can also receive a TAP award if financially eligible. Students may receive up to $10,000 in awards through this program.
Scholarships for Academic Excellence
Outstanding high school graduates in New York State are chosen to receive this scholarship by officials at each high school. Holders of a Scholarship for Academic Excellence must file the Pre-printed Express TAP Application or the separate Scholarships and Grants Payment Application each year. Recipients of the Scholarship for Academic Excellence must meet all of the general requirements of the TAP program, with the exception of the income requirements, and may receive the scholarship in addition to a TAP award if financially eligible. Eligible students may receive an annual award of $1,500 per year.
Additionally, a limited amount of awards at $500 per year are also made available to students at each New York high school. The amount of the awards may change for future academic years subject to action by the New York State Legislature.
Source: New York State Higher Education Services Corporation,
99 Washington Avenue, Albany,
New York 12255.
Regents Professional Opportunity Scholarships
Full-time students studying in an approved program leading to licensure in a profession designated by the Commissioner of Education may apply for this award. Selection is based on the following priorities: applicants must be economically disadvantaged and a member of a minority group historically underrepresented in the licensed profession and those enrolled in or graduated from the following opportunity programs — SEEK, College discovery, EOP, or HEOP. This award provides from $1,000 to $5,000 per year for up to four years of study.
Recipients must meet all of the general requirements of the TAP program and agree to practice in their chosen profession in New York State for 12 months for each annual payment received.
New York State’s Program of Aid for Part-Time Study
This is a grant program funded by New York State in conjunction with the University. Awards can be up to $2,000 per year for part-time undergraduate students. In order to be considered, a student must be working toward an undergraduate degree as a part-time student enrolled for 3-11 credits per semester. The student must be in good academic standing, be a resident of New York State, and be a U.S. citizen. Income restrictions apply. Students must apply for this grant for each semester funding is needed. For further information, please contact the Office of Financial Aid at (631) 273-5112.
State Aid to Native Americans
Application Procedure: Application forms may be obtained from the Native American Education Unit, New York State Education Department, Albany, NY 12230. The completed application form should be forwarded by the applicant to the Native American Education Unit along with the following materials:
1) official transcript of high school record or a photocopy of the General Equivalency Diploma; 2) letter(s) of recommendation from one or more leaders in the community attesting to personality and character; 3) personal letter setting forth clearly and in detail educational plans and desires; 4) signatures of the parents of minor applicants, approving education plans; 5) official tribal certification form; and 6) copy of acceptance letter from college attending.
Selection of Recipients and Allocation of Awards: The applicant must be: 1) a member of one of the Native American tribes within New York State; 2) have graduated from an approved high school, or have earned a General Equivalency Diploma, or be enrolled in a program in an approved postsecondary institution leading to degree-credit status and the General Equivalency Diploma; and 3) enrolled in an approved postsecondary institution in New York State. State Aid to Native Americans is an entitlement program. There is neither a qualifying examination nor a limited number of awards.
Award Schedule: The award is $1,000 per year for a maximum of four years of full-time study, a minimum of 12 credit hours per semester. Students registered for fewer than this number will be funded at approximately $46 per credit hour.
Rights and Responsibilities of Recipients: Students are responsible for notifying the Native American Education Unit in writing of any change in student status or program or institutional enrollment. Student must submit semester grades.
Source: Native American Education Unit, New York State Education Department, Albany, NY 12230.
